Annual Fahrney-Keedy Home summer festival draws crowd

BOONSBORO - More than 800 people visited Fahrney-Keedy Home and Village in Boonsboro recently for the sixth annual Summer Fest.

Under sunny skies, they found food, crafts, entertainment for children, a petting zoo, a large display of classic cars and other activities.

A disc jockey tended a steady flow of rock 'n' roll hits from the 1950s at the classic cars show. In another corner of the grounds, a barrel train carried youngsters around near where a water slide also was getting constant use. In various booths, children putted golf balls, tried picking out specially numbered plastic ducks for prizes, created sand art and had their faces painted.

Grownups browsed among the vintage cars, chatted and kept an eye on their youngsters. A Hagers-town city bus from 1947 was on display, inspiring memories. Tables under two large white tents provided eating space for all.

Fahrney-Keedy staff, volunteers, residents and private vendors operated food stands, prize games and other attractions. Various businesses displayed their wares along a row of vendor tents.

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A petting zoo, inside a small chain link fence, attracted many children and their parents. Cats, dogs, pigs, rabbits, ducks and geese all were part of the show.

Inside the main building, the Fahrney-Keedy Auxiliary offered a bake sale, and a magician performed.

Funds from the Summer Fest, which occurs every year on the first Saturday of August, go toward Fahrney-Keedy's Benevolent Fund.

"This year's festival was such a blessing, not only to the community and our residents, but also to the staff and volunteers who participated in the event," said Kelli Lichtenberg, Summer Fest chairperson. "It is amazing to see so many people working together for a common goal. Each year, we seem to strengthen our employee relationships while sharing our mission to enhance the lives of seniors through caring quality services with the community; what more could we ask for?"

Fahrney-Keedy Home and Village, a continuing care retirement community, is along Md. 66 a few miles west of Boonsboro. With nearly 180 full- and part-time employees, it serves a resident population of almost 200 women and men in independent living, assisted living and long- and short-term nursing care. Fahrney-Keedy is committed to enhancing the lives of seniors through caring quality service.